Helping a Baby Wean Off a Pacifier

As a parent, I was overjoyed when my son learned to soothe himself with the aid of a pacifier. Sucking fulfills a baby's need for contact and security and pacifier use is now believed to be a preventative measure against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Good news! My friend even told me "Breaking the pacifier habit is easier than stopping your child from sucking their thumb!" Even with all the benefits and good advice, when the time came to wean my child from his pacifier, it seemed like an almost insurmountable problem. What can parents do to make this transition easier, while still retaining a little sleep and sanity?

Before deciding upon the best approach, consider whether it is an appropriate time to wean your child. Dentists recommend that a child reduce the amount of pacifier use by age two and stop using a pacifier altogether by age four. As many parents choose to wean their child from a pacifier gradually, 18 months is usually a good age to begin the process. Another issue you will need to consider is any life changes that may be happening to your child. If you are moving, having a new baby, potty training, or going through a divorce, you may want to postpone the weaning process. Before beginning you will also want to inform your daycare provider, family, and any other care providers of your decision to eliminate your child's pacifier. Consistency is very important in these types of situations and reinforcement of your methods by others will make a world of difference.

Choosing a strategy for weaning your baby from a pacifier depends on many factors. These include the age of your child, how often your child uses a pacifier, whether your child comprehends you are able to purchase another pacifier, whether your child asks for their pacifier by name, if your child can be distracted to forget about their pacifier easily and whether they have other comforting skills necessary to help them through this traumatic ordeal.